Illinois Sports Betting – The Best Illinois Sportsbook is Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet: Now Available in Illinois

Sports betting is legal in Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker officially cleared the way for legal sports betting in Illinois on June 28, 2019, when he put pen to paper on Senate Bill 690. Following a near-nine month rollout period the first legal sports wagers in Illinois were placed in-person on March 9, with the first legal online sports bet following on June 18, 2020.

⚖️ Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?	Yes
🪪 Legal Sports Betting Age in Illinois	21+
🚀 Hard Rock Bet Launch in Illinois	August 26, 2024
🏨 Hard Rock Bet IL Licensing Partner	Hard Rock Casino Rockford

Now, years after the first online sportsbooks arrived in the state, the Illinois sports betting scene is evolving again.  Hard Rock Bet has arrived in Illinois and is now accepting legal bets across the state.

Illinois sports betting news

Here’s what’s happening with sports betting, and sports in general in state of Illinois.

• December 15: The Blackhawks beat the Islanders 5-3 to improve to 10-19-2.
• December 14: Sadly the Blackhawks have started a new losing streak, falling 4-1 to the Devils.
• December 13: The Bulls knocked off the Hornets, 109-95.
• December 12: The Blackhawks weren’t able to start a winning streak, losing 5-4 to the Islanders.
• December 9: The Chicago Blackhawks picked up their first win since moving on from coach Luke Richardson, beating the rangers 2-1.
• December 8: The new era for the Bears began similarly to the way the old one ended, with an emphatic 38-13 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco. First round rookie Rome Odunze flashed though, connecting with Caleb Williams for two touchdowns. The Bulls also lost, 108-100, at the hands of the 76ers.
• December 7: The Blackhawks lost 4-2 to the Jets in their first game since the coaching change.
• December 6: The Blackhawks announced on Friday that they had parted ways with Head Coach Luke Richardson following an 8-16-2 start to the season, worst in the NHL. The Bulls lost 132-123 to the Pacers.
• December 5: The Bulls put together an impressive 139-124 win over the Spurs in San Antonio.
• December 4: The Blackhawks found no relief at home against the Bruins, conceding four goals again in a 4-2 defeat. Chicago now has the worst record in the league.

How to bet on sports in Illinois

Live in, visiting, or just passing through the state of Illinois? You’re eligible to legally bet on sports. As long as you’re more than 21 years old and in the state (even temporarily!), you can sign-up and place bets with Hard Rock Bet – Illinois’ highest rated betting app. Let’s recap the registration process:

Creating a Hard Rock Bet account in IL

The Hard Rock Bet account creation process only takes a few minutes, and once completed enables the player to access the entire Illinois online sports betting experience from anywhere in the state.

Registration can be done completely over the internet. Notably, when legal sports betting in Illinois was first introduced it arrived with a stipulation that required players to visit the retail facility associated with the online sports betting brand to sign-up in person before betting online. This requirement has expired – you can set up your Hard Rock Bet account in moments, entirely online.

During the sign-up procedure new bettors will simply need to confirm some personal information including:

• Name
• Email address
• Password
• Street address (you don’t have to live in Illinois to bet in Illinois!)
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number

Once complete you will officially be the proud owner of a new Hard Rock Bet account. All that’s left to do is make a deposit and start betting.

Note: If you have a Hard Rock Bet account that was used to play in another state, you’re already good to go here. You can use the same account credentials to log-in to your account and bet from Illinois. With Hard Rock Bet your account information, including your balance, will follow you from state-to-state.

Depositing to your Illinois online sportsbook account

Hard Rock Bet is set up to accept deposits and process withdrawals using a collection of easy-to-use banking methods. Options include:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Using a credit or debit card is possibly the easiest way to deposit with Hard Rock Bet in Illinois. Simply enter the amount you want to deposit, punch in the information associated with your card (Name/Numbers), and you’re ready to go. Funds will be available for use immediately within the sportsbook.
• Instant Bank Transfer: Securely log-in to your online bank and facilitate instant transfers to your Hard Rock Bet balance.
• PayPal: Link your PayPal account to your Hard Rock Bet account to sanction easy deposits and withdrawals to Hard Rock Bet.
• Venmo: Safe, reliable, and fast – Venmo provides Hard Rock Bet players with easy access to their bankroll at all times. Deposit or withdraw with just a few taps of the finger.
• Apple Pay: Apple Pay is also an available option for moving money to Hard Rock Bet. Notably, you will only see Apple Pay as an option when accessing the cashier through the Hard Rock Bet mobile app. It will NOT appear as a choice when logged-in to the web-based sportsbook.

Remember, not all deposit methods can be used for withdrawals, and some withdrawal methods will require a successful deposit first before a cash out can be approved.

Best Illinois sports betting bonus

Hard Rock Bet has launched in Illinois with an exceptionally valuable promotion for new players. No Hard Rock Bet promo code is required to lock in the offer – just sign up and start betting.

Up to $100 back if your first bet doesn’t win

New bettors in the state of Illinois can get up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if their first bet doesn’t win through our available in-state welcome offer. Here’s what you need to know:

All new Hard Rock Bet players are eligible to claim this offer in Illinois. After account creation, simply make a deposit and place an initial wager. If the wager loses, Hard Rock Bet has your back with a Bonus Bet equal to the amount of the wager (max $100). If you win, well, you won. Enjoy it.

Keep in mind:

• Initial qualifying wagers must be at least $10.
• Only your first bet will qualify for the promotion.
• Maximum reward is $100, and will be paid as a singular Bonus Bet
• Any Bonus Bets received through the offer expire in 7 days
• When used Bonus Bets will only pay out winnings

Full T&C apply.

Illinois sports betting promotions

The perks for betting on Hard Rock Bet don’t stop with the sign up offer. As the top-rated betting app in the state, Hard Rock Bet know’s how to deliver the rock star treatment to all players. A regular lineup of Illinois sports betting offers are available on the sportsbook – simply click the ‘Promotions’ button to see what’s currently on offer.

Boost your bets

Hard Rock Bet offers competitive boosts, and we’re talking odds boosts and profit boosts, to elevate the Illinois online sportsbook experience. Odds boosts are available on select betting markets in the state – for a limited time players can capitalize and place bets with enhanced odds and payouts. Profit boosts, on the other hand, can be deployed at the player’s discretion. Pick out a bet you want to make, apply the profit boost, and you’re wager will pay more.

Sports betting in Illinois: A look at the law

Sports betting is a legal, regulated activity in the state of Illinois. The state’s sports betting legislation has been drafted with a few key details that bettors should make note of. Here’s what you need to know about Illinois sports betting:

Illinois sports betting age

You must be 21 years old to use an Illinois online sports betting app, or enter a casino to bet in-person. No exceptions are made here, proof of identification will be required on all IL sports betting apps – including Hard Rock Bet.

Geolocation: Illinois means Illinois

Sports betting in the United States is regulated on a state by state basis, meaning each individual state has to specifically seek out and approve legislation before it becomes legal to wager in that state. While Illinois has now accomplished this task, not all states have. As such, to use a legal Illinois sports betting app you must be physically located inside the state of Illinois.

While using the Hard Rock Bet app on a phone or tablet players can simply enable their location services so that their phone’s internal GPS chip can track their location. Once Hard Rock Bet can verify you are in the state, you will be approved to make bets. If you’re betting from a computer you will be asked to install a piece of geolocation software that will be used to determine your precise location.

The bottom line is that if you can’t prove that you are in the state of Illinois, Hard Rock Bet won’t accept your wager – period.

Licensing: Approved operators only

As per the state law, all online sportsbooks in Illinois must be licensed, and tethered to a retail casino, race track, or sports venue. Additionally, there are three spots available for ‘online only’ licenses that don’t have a brick-and-mortar tether. Each such venue is eligible to host one Illinois mobile sports betting ‘skin’, like Hard Rock Bet.

To gain entry to the Illinois betting market Hard Rock Bet has partnered with the Hard Rock Casino Rockford, and now operates as the new casino’s online sports betting skin. Notably, you don’t ever need to visit the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in order to use Hard Rock Bet – you can sign up online and bet from anywhere in Illinois.

Illinois sports betting taxes

Regulated sports betting in Illinois is great for sports fans who needed an easy, safe way to place wagers, but it’s also a benefit to the state as sports betting revenue is now taxable revenue.

When the industry first launched in Illinois in 2020, betting app operators were taxed at a rate of 15%. However, following the passage of HB 4951 in May ’24, a new tiered structure has been implemented. Effective July 1, 2024, a sliding scale is now applied to the Illinois sports betting tax rate. The more adjusted gross revenue an operator generates, the higher they are taxed.

• $0 – $30 million in AGR: 20%
• $30 – $50 million in AGR: 25%
• $50 – $100 million in AGR: 30%
• $100 – $200 million in AGR: 35%
• $200+ million in AGR: 40%

Where does IL sports betting revenue go?

With millions in taxable revenue flowing in every month for the state, it’s reasonable to want to know where exactly that money is going. Illinois sports betting revenue is attributed directly to infrastructure projects around the state, hospitals, universities, and affordable housing. Namely, the state’s sports betting revenue is attributed to the Rebuild Illinois plan which has been a focal point for Governor Pritzker since he initiated the project in 2019, seeking to improve infrastructure, create jobs, and better the local communities.

Sports you can bet on in Illinois

The best online sportsbooks, like Hard Rock Bet, are equipped with an enormous selection of available betting markets – covering all available sports, leagues, and contests worldwide. Thankfully legislators in the state of Illinois crafted the state’s betting laws to allow for just that. Players on Hard Rock Bet Illinois can bet on all of the following… and more:

• Aussie Rules
• Baseball (MLB, Triple-A, Korea, Japan, and more from around the globe)
• Basketball (NBA, WNBA, NCAAM, NCAAW, plus a ton of international competitions)
• Boxing
• Darts
• Football betting – a focal point in Illinois, with competitive NFL odds, Super Bowl odds, college football, and more.
• Golf (Including both PGA, LIV, and more)
• Handball
• Hockey (NHL, AHL, NCAA, and more)
• MMA (UFC odds are available for every fight!)
• Motor sports (NASCAR, Formula 1)
• Rugby
• Betting on soccer is huge on Hard Rock Bet – including EPL, La Liga, MLS, Serie A, Bundesliga, World Cup, Euros, Copa America, Champions League, and more.
• betting on table tennis is available
• Tennis
• … and more.

Betting on college sports in Illinois

Betting on college sports IS legal in the state of Illinois, but bettors will notice that local schools are not listed on Hard Rock Bet, or other Illinois online sportsbooks. Illinois’ sports betting laws were deliberately set up this way to ease pressures on local, non-professional athletes. So while it is legal to bet on college sports, and Hard Rock Bet has plenty of them on offer in Illinois, colleges and universities located in the state of Illinois won’t be offered. This includes the University of Illinois, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Loyola University, DePaul University, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, and more.

Similarly, college sports props are not available in Illinois.

Legal bet types in Illinois

Identifying the game or match you want to bet on is one thing, but Hard Rock Bet supplies sports bettors in Illinois with myriad options for how to bet on the game. From basic winners (aka moneyline bets), to over/under betting, to wagering on the spread, to live betting, parlays, same game parlays, teasers — you name it. Hard Rock Bet is equipped with every modern bet type and convenience in the state of Illinois.

• Winners (Moneyline)
• Over/Under
• Spread
• Parlays
• Same Game Parlays
• Flex Parlay
• SGP Max
• Props
• Round Robins
• Futures
• … and more

Popular sports teams in Illinois

Simply put, Midwesterners love their sports, and Illinois specifically is home to some of the region’s most supported teams. Due to their intense regional support, it’s only natural that these Chicago-area pro teams are among the most bet-on with legal Illinois sportsbooks.

Chicago Bears (NFL)

The state’s lone NFL team, the Chicago Bears have been a fixture in professional football for more than 100 years. While the team enjoyed multiple league championships in the early pre-merger days, the Bears have just one Super Bowl title to their name, which belongs to the legendary 1985 squad.

After drafting Quarterback Caleb Williams #1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, optimism is abound in Chicago. For the first time in a long time the Bears are expected to contend not just in the NFC North, but for the entire conference. Exciting times are ahead at Soldier Field.

Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

The Blackhawks have been representing the city of Chicago, and Illinois, in the National Hockey League since 1926. Sharing the United Center arena with the local basketball teams, the Blackhawks have six league championships to their name, including a a trio of Stanley Cup victories in ’10, ’13, and ’15, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams not just historically – but in the modern NHL.

Recent campaigns haven’t been quite as sunny for the Blackhawks, with back to back 8th place finishes in the Central Division of the Western Conference in both ’23 and ’24 (that’s last place). However, the lack of success on ice hasn’t dampened the sports betting interest in the Blackhawks. After all, there’s only one way to go from the basement, and that’s up.

Chicago Bulls (NBA)

The Chicago Bulls are one of the most iconic sports franchises in the United States, due in large part to their association with the most iconic athlete in the history of American sports: Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan lead the Bulls to a remarkable six NBA Championships between 1991 and 1998. In fact, the only years they didn’t win were during the years that Jordan temporarily retired to play baseball.

Originally founded in 1966 and now calling the United Center home, the Bulls have cultivated a reputation for playing nard-nosed, tough, physical basketball. However, this hasn’t always translated to success on the court. The Bulls haven’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs in 10 years.

Chicago Cubs (MLB)

The Chicago Cubs, once dubbed the Lovable Losers, of Chicago’s Northside, are the state’s most famous professional baseball team. Playing out of Wrigley Field, possibly the most iconic sports venue in the country for more than 100 years, the Cubs are MLB royalty.

While the team’s success on the field has been hit or miss (mostly miss!), the support for the Cubs has never wavered and there will always be something magical about the ivy-covered brick lining the outfield at Wrigley. The Cubs won back-to-back World Series in 1907 and 1908, and endured a historic 108 year drought before finally capturing another title in 2016.

Without fail the Cubs will be in action at least 162 times a year, providing Illinois sports bettors with an opportunity to root, root, root for the home team.

Chicago Fire FC (MLS)

The Chicago Fire are the only Major League Soccer team in the state of Illinois, and have been in action since 1997. Playing their home games out Solider Field in downtown, The fire have one MLS Cup Championship to their name (2003). While they haven’t enjoyed much success in recent seasons, MLS is set up to encourage parity – so you never know when the turnaround is on the way.

Hard Rock Bet offers MLS odds on every Fire game.

Chicago Sky (WNBA)

The Chicago Sky joined the WNBA in 2006 and have captured one title – a cinderella run in 2021 – since. Traditionally though, the Sky have been competitive within the leagues Eastern Conference. The Sky play their home games in the Wintrust Arena in south-Chicago, near Solider Field and the the Field Museum, which they share with DePaul University.

On the back of rookie standout Angel Reese the Sky, and their fans, have renewed optimism that sustained success may be just around the corner.

Chicago White Sox (MLB)

The White Sox, Chicago’s representation in the American League of MLB, have been a mainstay in the city since arriving in 1900. The White Sox have three World Series championships to their name, 1906, 1917, and 2005 – notably the 88 year gap between titles is second only to their cross-town rivals.

The White Sox play their home games at Guaranteed Rate Field – located just south of downtown – and like the Cubs, are in action constantly throughout the spring and fall serving as a great target for sports bettors in Illinois.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford

• Address: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State Street, Rockford, IL, 61108
• Status: Grand Opening – August 29, 2024

While Illinois online sports betting has been the primary focus to this point, it’s important to highlight that in-person sports betting is legal in the state of Illinois, too, meaning bettors can visit in-state casino properties and enjoy exciting retail experiences. Enter: Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

Located about 90 minutes Northwest from downtown Chicago, the brand new Hard Rock Casino Rockford is a pristine facility that offers more than a thousand slot machines, 50 gaming tables, a poker room, and of course… an in-person sportsbook experience with real betting windows and kiosks for players to enjoy.

Responsible gambling resources in Illinois

Player safety and responsible gambling practices are the vital to the success of sports betting in Illinois. Responsible gambling resources and educational tools are available around the clock.

National Council for Problem Gambling

• Web: http://www.ncpgambling.org/
• Chat Line: http://ncpgambling.org/chat
• Phone + Text: 1-800-522-4700

Illinois Council on Problem Gambling

• Web: https://illinoisproblemgambling.org/
• Helpline: https://e.helplineil.org/areyoureallywinning/
• Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER
• Text: Text GAMB to 833234

Hard Rock Bet responsible gambling resources

Hard Rock Bet offers a variety of responsible gambling tools within its sports betting product, including:

• Deposit Limits – restrict the amount you are allowed to deposit to your account
• Wager Limits – restrict the size of the wagers you are allowed to make
• Session Limits – restrict the amount of time you are able to spend logged-in to Hard Rock Bet
• Session Reminders – set pop-ups to help you track your usage
• Timeouts – take a timeout during which you will be unable to place a bet or make a deposit
• Self Exclusion – self exclusion will make your account inaccessible for the duration of the exclusion period

Illinois sports betting FAQ

Below we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to Illinois online sports betting.